Starbucks Malaysia’s Kopi Creator Kolektif (KCK) brought the KCK Class of 2026 together on one stage, featuring ten emerging Malaysian musicians and filmmakers. Following weeks of mentorship and creative development through the KCK programme, the creators performed original music and premiered film teasers for a live audience at Starbucks Reserve® IOI Mall Damansara.
One musician and one filmmaker were selected by a panel of industry professionals based on their ideas, presentation, and growth throughout the programme, and audience votes. Each will receive a grand prize valued at RM10,000, along with ongoing mentorship and support to bring their creative visions to life. Suehaila (Tengku Suhaila binti Tengku Asmadi) will secure a recording deal which includes the production of a four-track EP, while Tanahliat Studios will receive support to turn their winning film teaser into a completed short film.
A platform for Malaysian creators to further their craft
Kopi Creator Kolektif was launched by Starbucks Malaysia as a creative platform designed to support emerging Malaysian musicians and filmmakers. With support from Breaking Music, Weekend Boys Studio, and Multimedia University’s Faculty of Cinematic Arts, mentors and industry professionals worked closely with the ten finalists to refine their craft, helping the musicians sharpen their sound, and stage presence, while guiding the filmmakers in shaping their concepts into stories that could connect with an audience.
The KCK Class of 2026 features the music finalists Akardia, Huey Yeing, Sharkfins, Suehaila and Thariq Amran, alongside film finalists Batu Belah Productions, C317, Keladak Krunchy, Sudhifilem and Tanahliat Studios. For these ten local artists, the live showcase marked the culmination of their KCK journey.
“Seeing the Kopi Creator Kolektif Class of 2026 take the stage was a powerful reminder of why we launched this programme. These creators came into KCK with ideas and stories of their own, and through the showcase, those ideas were experienced by a live audience in a Starbucks coffeehouse. We are proud to celebrate the winners, but equally proud of the journey each finalist has taken through this platform,” said Zakiah Hanim Md Zaki, Director of Marketing & Loyalty, Berjaya Starbucks Coffee Company Sdn Bhd.
“What impressed us most about these artists was how much potential they already had from the beginning. The KCK programme supported them with structure, guidance, and industry exposure to take their music to the next level. Throughout the journey, we saw them grow more assured in their identities as artists, and more intentional about how they want to be heard,” said Isaac Ravi, mentor for the Music Cohort, co-founder of Breaking Music.
“For the film cohort, what stood out was the uniqueness and honesty of their stories. The filmmakers brought ideas rooted in their own communities, observations and personal journeys. Through the mentorship sessions, I witnessed the filmmakers sharpen their ideas, think more intentionally about the teaser format, and translate their concepts into stories suited for film. What the audience saw was not just a preview of potential films, but a glimpse into how a new generation of Malaysian storytellers sees the world around them,” said Adam Zainal, Director, mentor for the Film Cohort, and an alumnus of Multimedia University’s Faculty of Cinematic Arts.
Meet the winning musician and filmmaker
For Suehaila, the programme offered more than a chance to perform live. It became an opportunity to further develop “Ephemeral Queen”, an existing demo inspired by the Queen of the Night, a flower that blooms only once a year for a single night. Through mentorship and collaboration, the track was shaped into a more intentional piece, with its arrangement slowed down slightly to give the lyrics and emotion more room to breathe.
“Winning Kopi Creator Kolektif is incredibly meaningful because this journey helped me understand growth in a new way,” said Suehaila, winner of the Music Cohort. “I came into the programme with a strong sense of who I was as an artist, but KCK encouraged me to look closer at the finer details of my craft — from how I shape my sound, to how I carry emotion into a live performance. It reminded me that growth is not just about finding your identity, but continuing to expand it, take creative risks and stay true to yourself.”
For Tanahliat Studios, Merinsak (Hardship) began as a story rooted in the experience of leaving home, and the tension between ambition, family and belonging. Through KCK, the team developed the idea into a short film concept and presented its teaser at the showcase. The short film follows Pam, a student in Kuala Lumpur whose desperate attempt to return home to Sarawak for Hari Gawai pushes her and her friends into a plan that tests their morals, friendship and sense of responsibility, told in a way that is playful and bold yet honest. Tanahliat Studios is led by Clayvert Unji as director, alongside “Kiwi” Ang as producer, Dania Irdina as co-producer, Rue Feng Wen as editor, Jenn Tan as director of photography and Vyl Chang as production designer.
“KCK came at a time when I was still finding my footing after film school, and it gave me hope that there are platforms for young creatives to take a real step forward,” said Clayvert Unji, director of Merinsak from Tanahliat Studios. “This win gives us the opportunity to take Merinsak further, while telling a story that comes from a very personal place. As an Iban Sarawakian living in Kuala Lumpur, I wanted to reflect East Malaysian experiences beyond the usual lens of culture, heritage or tourism. Through KCK, it encouraged me not to overthink or limit the story to what feels familiar, but to trust my perspective and push it further, and more importantly, I’m grateful to my crew for shaping that vision with me.”
Bringing Malaysians together through coffee, creativity, and connection
Around the coffeehouse, the KCK Showcase featured interactive activities inspired by music and film, encouraging guests to be creative and express themselves. Guests were invited to discover the stories behind each creator’s journey, capture photos of moments at the showcase, and customise their own Starbucks tumblers, extending the spirit of creativity beyond the stage.
For Starbucks Malaysia, Kopi Creator Kolektif reinforced the role coffeehouses continue to play in shaping culture, not only as welcoming “third place” where people enjoy coffee, but as a space where ideas are exchanged, creative voices are encouraged, and communities are built through connection between emerging and established artists.
